Program Schedule – 2025 NBAA Maintenance Conference

Unless otherwise specified, all 2024 NBAA Maintenance Conference events will take place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
Monday, April 28, 2025
PDP Registration
Location: Hilton Columbus Downtown
NBAA PDP Course: Leading with a Vision
Location: Hilton Columbus Downtown
Additional PDP course registration fee required.
Facilitator: Scott Moore, CAM, Moore Life Leadership
How do you lead and get people to follow you? How can you make a positive difference in your own life and in the lives of others? How can you be recognized as a leader in your organization?
Learn the answers to these questions and increase your own personal leadership competencies at this interactive course, led by facilitator Scott A. Moore, Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC). Moore is a former Air Force officer, aviation department manager, NBAA Board member and recognized expert on values-based leadership.
In this course, you will learn how to lead and inspire your coworkers by creating a personal leadership vision. You will interact with others and practice the communication skills needed to increase connection with the people in your life. You will learn how to live, work and lead in alignment with your core values by investing in your ability to lead and inspire others.
This course covers NBAA PDP Objectives Leadership L1 and L2.

James Sullivan Travel Fund Charity Golf Tournament
Location: Cumberland Trail Golf Club
Join 2025 NBAA Maintenance Conference attendees and exhibitors and tee off to raise money for an important cause. All proceeds go towards the James Sullivan Travel Fund, which covers expenses that NBAA AMT Maintenance Scholarship recipients incur during their awarded training.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Registration Open
Continental Breakfast
Welcome and NBAA Update
Opening Keynote
Break With Exhibitors
Engine Airworthiness: Changing the Pre-Buying Process
For over 40 years, aircraft buyers have relied on full engine borescopes during pre-buy due diligence, often leading to unnecessary squawks on otherwise airworthy engines. Learn how this practice adds risk to transactions, drives engines into already overburdened shops and strains the supply chain for rental engines. To address these challenges, all transaction stakeholders, including attorneys, brokers and management companies, must understand a better approach to assessing engine health. Backed by engine health trend data, this session will give you a comprehensive, accurate and less invasive alternative, giving flight departments and buyers confidence in acquiring airworthy engines during aircraft sales.
Mechanic Retention and Leadership Challenges
Explore a forward-looking, data-driven analysis of the challenges facing the aviation industry in mechanic turnover, recruitment and team building. This session will highlight key trends and insights to help your flight department address workforce shortages and retain top talent. Learn strategies for creating a strong, cohesive maintenance team that thrives in today’s competitive labor market.
Elevating Maintenance: Delivering Exceptional Customer Service
As a maintenance professional, your responsibilities extend beyond technical expertise. In today’s competitive business aviation landscape, customer expectations are high. Passengers demand seamless travel experiences, and every interaction within the maintenance department contributes to this goal. Explore the critical role maintenance professionals play in delivering exceptional customer service. Gain practical tips for handling challenging interactions, improving communication and fostering a culture of engagement and accountability. By understanding the impact of maintenance on the customer experience, you can enhance operational efficiency, improve passenger satisfaction and contribute significantly to the success of your flight department.
Transforming Aircraft Technician Training Using Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) is transforming technician training by simplifying the learning of complex tasks and enhancing maintenance quality. Discover how CAE, a global leader in aviation training, is driving innovation with immersive technologies in its Gulfstream Maintenance Training Program. This session will showcase the benefits of VR in advancing technical skills and operational efficiency. Gain insights into how cutting-edge training solutions are shaping the future of aviation maintenance.
Tire Maintenance and Impact on Aircraft Safety
Aircraft safety is a top priority, but one critical component is often overlooked: aircraft tires. Operating under extreme conditions of load and speed, aircraft tires are meticulously engineered and rigorously tested. When properly operated, they are highly reliable and exhibit acceptable lifespans. Learn about the crucial role of tire maintenance in aircraft safety. This session is designed for anyone who interacts with aircraft tires – including pilots, maintenance technicians, flight line ground crews and flight school students. Explore common causes of tire-related incidents, the consequences of under- and over-inflation, the impact of ambient temperature variations and recommended inflation schedules.
Lunch With Exhibitors
Exhibit Hall Open
Flight Operations Quality Assurance Data and SMS
Gain valuable insights into using flight operations quality assurance (FOQA) data and how it can enhance your maintenance programs. Presenters will share how analyzing FOQA data, such as aircraft performance parameters and pilot reports, can identify potential maintenance issues, pinpoint recurring problems and proactively address safety concerns. By integrating FOQA data into your maintenance decision-making process, you can improve aircraft reliability, reduce maintenance costs and enhance overall operational safety. Learn how to leverage this valuable data source to optimize your maintenance strategies and ensure the continued airworthiness of your fleet.
Building a Cutting-Edge Tech Stack for Business Aviation Operators
Times are (still) a-changin’ – and you don’t want to get left behind! This dynamic discussion will cover how to create an ideal, modern tech stack to seamlessly manage your fleet. Industry experts will dive into the current technological landscape, exactly what you need to create a tech stack that makes a big impact and strategies for seamless integration and data security. Learn about best practices for integrating cutting-edge technologies and AI, and the impact on certain events like inspections, regulatory adherence, pre-buys and more. Delve into the importance of ensuring that all components function together to serve the best interests of both operators and customers, and equip your organization with the insights needed to thrive in the new digital revolution.
Winning the War for Talent: From Recruitment to Retention
In today’s competitive labor market, talent acquisition and retention have become more critical than client acquisition and retention. Leaders who adapt to this evolving landscape will gain a significant edge in building great teams and achieving success. This practical and interactive session explores the five phases of team building, from recruitment to retention, providing actionable strategies to enhance your approach. You will gain fresh insights, innovative ideas and practical steps to improve hiring, onboarding and team development, ensuring your organization remains competitive and poised for success in the changing talent market.
ATG, LEO and GEO: Choosing the Right Technology for Your Operation
Get a high-level comparison of air-to-ground (ATG), low earth orbit (LEO) satcom and geostationary orbit (GEO) satcom systems based on top coverage areas, performance expectations and hardware packages. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each system, is key to determining what system is best when updating existing aircraft and outfitting new aircraft.
Break with Exhibitors
Closing Session
Maintenance Conference Exhibitor Reception
Connect with leading companies in business aviation as they showcase the latest innovations, tools and technology in aviation maintenance.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Registration Open
Continental Breakfast
Exhibit Hall Open
Welcome and NBAA Maintenance Committee Leadership Committee Update
Day Two Keynote
Break With Exhibitors
Pre-Mishap Investigations
Rooted in the principles outlined in Todd Conklin’s “5 Principles of Human Performance” and “Pre-Accident Investigations: An Introduction to Organizational Safety,” as well as “Sidney Dekker’s Field Guide to Human Performance,” the “Pre-Mishap Investigation” methodology underscores the significance of not only focusing on the immediate causes of accidents, but also on recognizing potential points of failure. Leave this session with an understanding of how this approach emphasizes that indicators leading to an incident often manifest repeatedly and are frequently overlooked or discounted prior to an incident.
Energy State Management and Vision Systems
Jump into the critical role of advanced energy state management and cutting-edge vision systems in modern business jets. Explore how these technologies are optimizing operational efficiency through enhanced fuel burn prediction, improved flight planning, and optimized climb and descent profiles. Hear how advanced vision systems are enhancing situational awareness, improving safety, and facilitating more precise approaches and landings, especially in challenging weather conditions. Gain a deeper understanding of how these innovative technologies are transforming the flight experience in business aviation.
Raising the Bar: The Intersection Between Safety and Quality
Safety and quality are often thought of as two independently functioning silos in a maintenance operation. In this interactive session, you will explore the myths, facts and elements of safety management systems (SMS) and qualities that support an industry-leading maintenance organization. You will also get a detailed example of a successful long-running operations safety and quality program, understand the way the program changed the business processes for the better, and observe objective safety results that clearly show the value to the business, its employees and most importantly, its customers.
Follow the Fuel
Explore the interesting journey of jet fuel from crude oil to the wing of an aircraft. Delve into the production, movement and delivery, highlighting each critical step in the supply chain. Learn about the quality assurance measures that ensure fuel meets stringent standards for safety and performance. Gain valuable insights into the processes that power aviation and keep the industry moving.
Lunch With Exhibitors
Five Steps to Increasing Technician Efficiency
Several forces are converging on MRO small business owners, including significant labor shortages and reliance on antiquated or disconnected technology. To grow their businesses, flight departments and owners need to find ways to increase output without increasing headcount. Technology can play a significant role in achieving this, but it doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Most businesses simply need to modernize their systems. If you implement the tools you’ll learn about in this session, by the 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference, you may be able to reduce administrative tasks for technicians by half. Learn how this translates into something every maintenance technician in aviation wants – more time spent working on the aircraft and fewer hours spent on paperwork.
From Technician to DOM: Leadership Growth for Tomorrow’s Aviation Challenges
Becoming a director of maintenance (DOM) is a transformative journey, demanding both technical expertise and advanced leadership skills. As aviation technology and business continue to evolve, today’s maintenance leaders must not only ensure the safety and performance of the fleet but also cultivate a thriving work culture and align their departments with broader organizational goals. The role has significantly shifted; while technical expertise was paramount in the past (95% technical, 5% culture), today’s successful DOMs focus more on leadership and building a strong team dynamic (40% technical, 60% leadership). This session will equip today’s aviation technicians with the tools and strategies they need to “Grow into the Future” and thrive in this evolving leadership role.
Emerging Technologies in Business Aviation: Paving the Way for Predictive Maintenance and Digital Transformation
Digital transformation and predictive maintenance are redefining operational efficiency. Delve into how the integration of AI, mobile technology and fully digital processes is paving the way towards predictive maintenance. You will gain insights into the cutting-edge technologies driving this shift and learn strategies for leveraging these tools to optimize maintenance processes, enhance decision-making and improve overall operational performance. Explore practical approaches to adopting and integrating these technologies, discuss challenges and solutions, and envision the future of predictive maintenance in business aviation.
Resources for the Small Flight Department Asset Manager
Learn about the valuable resources available to small flight departments, typically operating three or fewer aircraft. These departments often face unique challenges, such as limited staff and the need for cross-training between maintenance and flight operations. This can lead to increased workload and potential for distractions from core responsibilities. Explore a range of resources, including industry best practices, technological solutions and external support networks, designed to assist small flight departments in optimizing their operations and improving efficiency. By leveraging these resources, small flight departments can enhance safety, reduce costs and ensure the continued success of their aviation programs.
FAA Dangerous Goods Inspectors and Repair Stations
The FAA Office of Security and Hazardous Materials Safety plays a critical role in aviation safety. This office is responsible for establishing and enforcing regulations related to security and hazardous materials within the aviation industry. This includes oversight of Part 145 repair stations, ensuring they comply with security protocols, properly handle hazardous materials, and maintain a secure and safe operating environment. This session will provide an overview of the FAA’s role in this area, including key regulations, compliance requirements and best practices for Part 145 repair stations.
Break With Exhibitors
Closing Session
Off-Site Networking Event
Location: The Kee Columbus
The Kee Columbus is a vibrant and dynamic venue and restaurant that invites guests to tap into their creativity while fostering a strong sense of community. This venue blends first-generation American culinary roots with the local culture, music and art, offering a unique experience that celebrates both tradition and innovation.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Registration Open
Continental Breakfast
Exhibit Hall Open
Welcome and FAA Update
The Future of Connectivity
Break With Exhibitors
Soaring to New Heights: Emotional Intelligence for Aviation Professionals
In the high-stakes world of aviation maintenance, technical expertise is vital, but emotional intelligence (EI) can transform good teams into great ones. Explore how EI improves decision-making, team dynamics and workplace culture. Through real-world scenarios and interactive peer learning, you will gain practical strategies to enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive, safety-focused environment. With humor and actionable insights, this session equips aviation professionals at all levels to navigate emotional challenges and achieve greater success.
Using Engineering to Sustain Aircraft Lifecycle
Discover innovative solutions for sustaining aircraft throughout their lifecycle in the absence of OEM support or existing data. This session will highlight cutting-edge ideas and technologies for maintaining, repairing and modifying aircraft to ensure continued operational readiness. Explore real-world applications and advancements that address challenges in lifecycle sustainment, offering you practical tools and insights you can immediately put into use. Gain valuable strategies to extend aircraft service life and maintain performance, even in the most resource-limited scenarios.
Leveraging New Technology to Overcome Resistance and Enhance Efficiency
Explore the value of integrating new technology into maintenance departments to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Presenters will address the challenges faced by young professionals (YoPros) when introducing new technology, specifically focusing on the benefits of electronic maintenance manuals, log book tracking, parts management and safety programs. Learn practical strategies for overcoming resistance and walk away knowing how to successfully implement these technologies, improve your maintenance department’s efficiency, and even enhance your work-life balance.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Supercharge Safety Teams
This last year has been dubbed the “Year of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” but how will it impact aviation teams and improve safety outcomes in 2025 and beyond? Explore practical applications of AI to address common safety challenges such as inefficient processes, high manual workloads and difficulty analyzing safety data. Drawing on experience with over 350 safety management system implementations, you’ll see where AI can have the greatest impact, including streamlined reporting, augmented safety report analysis, and automated audit and compliance activities. Innovative uses of AI to enhance communication and provide real-time feedback to professionals will also be demonstrated. Finally, you’ll hear about key considerations for safely integrating AI into existing systems and implementing safeguards.
Lunch With Exhibitors
From Good to Great: Leadership Techniques to Boost Maintenance Efficiency and Service Quality
FBO leaders play a critical role in driving maintenance teams toward peak efficiency and service quality. This transformative session, tailored specifically for FBO leaders, explores advanced leadership strategies to foster a culture of excellence, streamline operations, enhance service delivery and empower teams for exceptional results. Through insights on optimizing maintenance processes, proactive problem-solving and customer-focused communication, participants will gain practical tools to elevate their operations. Featuring case studies and best practices from industry leaders, you’ll walk away with actionable techniques to improve team performance, reduce downtime and deliver superior service to business aircraft owners, transforming your FBO’s performance from good to great.
AI and the FAA’s Dirty Dozen: Leveraging AI to Prevent the 12 Common Causes of Human Factors Errors
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was aviation safety. If 80% of maintenance mistakes involve human factors, then how can computer-generated AI be the solution? Achieving peak performance requires a multi-faceted approach. With human error contributing to a significant portion of maintenance mistakes, AI can be a powerful tool to elevate safety standards. Gain insights on best practices for leveraging AI to mitigate human error and foster a culture of safety within your organization.
Building a Culture of Excellence Through Proactive Compliance
Take part in an in-depth discussion centered around the prevention and elimination of the seven most costly errors in aviation maintenance around the globe. Through the four tools of compliance, competence, awareness and teamwork, you will learn how these elements aid in the prevention and elimination of “never events.” Additionally, presenters will take a closer look at compliance and explain why such a simple concept can prove to be difficult to maintain within an organization.
Understanding the FAA’s Approach to Drug and Alcohol Testing
Receive a detailed explanation of the FAA’s organizational approach to drug and alcohol testing, including strategies and processes that govern how the FAA ensures adherence to regulations. This session is designed to empower maintenance employers and employees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of FAA drug and alcohol testing compliance.
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